PiXL Leadership Bookclub

1:1 meetings happen every day in schools, but are they as impactful as they could be? In this episode of the Leadership Book Club, PiXL CEO Rachel Johnson is joined by experienced school leaders Claire Moss and Aaron Wanford as they delve into Glad We Met by Steven G. Rogelberg. Drawing on research from top organisations, Rogelberg reveals how to make these meetings a tool for growth, not just another box to tick. Our guests explore strategies and share how they apply strategies to make meeting more meaningful  from finding the right frequency, striking the balance between productivity and relationship-building and tailoring meetings to individual needs. With practical insights on listening, feedback and creating real value in every conversation in school, this episode is essential for leaders looking to make their meetings more effective and energising. If you’ve ever walked away from a 1:1 thinking, 'Was that really worth it?', this discussion is for you!   If you enjoyed PiXL Leadership Book Club... Check out the PiXL website: https://www.pixl.org.uk/ for free downloads Read Rachel's three books:   Time to Think 1: The Things that stop us and how to deal with them Time to Think 2: The Things that stop our teams and what to do about them Box Clever: Quadrants to change the way we live and lead   Listen to the PiXL Pearls. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts  Subscribe on Spotify   The PiXL network spans thousands of schools across key stages 1-5. We collaborate, share best practice, and equip leaders throughout the educational system. Subscribe now to download every episode directly to your phone automatically. PiXL Podcasts are We Are In Beta productions. For more information visit: https://www.pixl.org.uk/

Schools are fast-paced environments where time is precious, but too often, unnecessary friction slows us down. In this episode of the Leadership Book Club, PiXL CEO Rachel Johnson is joined by experienced school leaders Mariam Rizvi and Deneen Kenchington as they unpack their biggest takeaways from The Friction Project by Huggy Rao and Robert I. Sutton. Together, they explore how to spot and fix the everyday obstacles that waste time and energy – from overcomplicated systems to information overload. They discuss the power of becoming “trustees of others’ time,” why ending tasks well with “Ta-da” lists matters, and how subtraction specialists can help with streamlining processes, particularly in assessment. This episode is full of practical insights to help school leaders remove barriers, improve efficiency and create a smoother, more effective working environment. If you’ve ever felt bogged down by unnecessary complexity, this one’s for you!   If you enjoyed PiXL Leadership Book Club... Check out the PiXL website: https://www.pixl.org.uk/ for free downloads Read Rachel's three books:   Time to Think 1: The Things that stop us and how to deal with them Time to Think 2: The Things that stop our teams and what to do about them Box Clever: Quadrants to change the way we live and lead   Listen to the PiXL Pearls. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts  Subscribe on Spotify   The PiXL network spans thousands of schools across key stages 1-5. We collaborate, share best practice, and equip leaders throughout the educational system. Subscribe now to download every episode directly to your phone automatically. PiXL Podcasts are We Are In Beta productions. For more information visit: https://www.pixl.org.uk/

We’re kicking off Series 6 with Languishing by Corey Keyes, the book that finally puts a name to that feeling of being stuck, drained and just going through the motions. Rachel Johnson is joined by school leaders Chris and Angela to explore how this shows up in education and, more importantly, what we can do about it. From recognising the signs in ourselves and our teams to finding simple ways to boost motivation and well-being, this episode is packed with practical takeaways. Together, they unpack insightful strategies for recognising and overcoming this state – helping school leaders foster resilience, meaning and growth in themselves and their teams. So many gems in this episode like how play isn’t just for students! As teachers, we have a responsibility to make lessons fun, bringing energy and creativity into the classroom to keep everyone engaged. Ready to go from just getting by to flourishing? Tune in!   If you enjoyed PiXL Leadership Book Club... Check out the PiXL website: https://www.pixl.org.uk/ for free downloads Read Rachel's two books:  Time to Think: The Things that stop us and how to deal with them Time to Think 2: The Things that stop our teams and what to do about them Listen to the PiXL Pearls. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Spotify   The PiXL network spans thousands of schools across key stages 1-5. We collaborate, share best practice, and equip leaders throughout the educational system. Subscribe now to download every episode directly to your phone automatically. PiXL Pearls is a We Are In Beta production. For more information visit: https://www.pixl.org.uk/

The PiXL Leadership Bookclub Podcast is back! New books, fresh insights and real conversations about what great leadership looks like in schools. This series, we’re exploring a great range of non-educational leadership books, including: Languishing: How to Feel Alive Again in a World That Wears Us Down – because ‘just getting by’ isn’t the goal. The Friction Project: How Smart Leaders Make the Right Things Easier and the Wrong Things Harder – finding flow in leadership. Glad We Met: The Art and Science of 1:1 Meetings – making every conversation count. Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It – the skills every leader needs. Women Who Work Too Much: Break Free from Toxic Productivity and Find Your Joy – working smarter, not harder. And more! Rachel Johnson (PiXL CEO) and our experienced guests, apply these ideas for use in schools, making a real difference in the lives of those we lead every day. With their insights and reflections, this series will challenge your thinking and spark new ideas for your own leadership. Join us every other Wednesday – first episode drops March 12th.  

Welcome to the final episode of Series 5 of the PiXL Leadership Book Club. Join host Rachel Johnson (PiXL CEO) as she dives into "The 4 Disciplines of Execution" by Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, and Jim Huling. This week, Rachel is joined by Leo Dudin (Deputy Head Academic at Oakham School) and Carly Woodall (Head of Year 6 at Brooklands School). Together, they unpack the timeless principles of focus, leverage, engagement, and accountability from the book that has shaped much of PiXL's methodology. Discover how these educational leaders apply the four disciplines to enhance student outcomes and school leadership. Learn practical strategies for setting wildly important goals, developing lead measures, and creating a cadence of accountability. Tune in to explore the transformative power of disciplined execution in education.   Did you know we have two other podcasts? 1. PiXL Pearls - 10 minute leadership reflections Listen on Apple Podcast here Listen on Spotify here 2. How do you teach? Covering the trickiest issues in English and Science and giving practical ways of teaching them Listen on Apple Podcast here Listen on Spotify here PiXL is a partnership organisation of thousands of schools, colleges and alternative education providers spanning KS1-5. Find out more about how you could gain value from a PiXL subscription: https://www.pixl.org.uk/membership or email us at membership@pixl.org.uk to find out more. PiXL Leadership Bookclub is a We Are In Beta production.  

Chandini Misra is the Principal at Repton Al Barsha School in Dubai, dedicated to inclusivity in international education. Amos Turner-Wardell leads Regents International School Pattaya, focusing on fostering belonging in diverse communities. They delve into strategies for breaking echo chambers in school leadership and share practical tips for creating a sense of community among students. The duo also discusses empowering student leadership and the importance of experiential learning in forming empathetic, connected educational environments.

Join Rachel Johnson, Angela Stanton, and Chris Stephens as they delve into Nancy Kline's 'The Promise That Changes Everything'. Discover the power of active listening, overcoming communication barriers, and practical strategies like 'Solution Circles' to enhance relationships and conversations in educational settings.

Join hosts Rachel Johnson, Paul Ainsworth, and Damith Bandara as they delve into 'The Talent Code', exploring deep practice, ignition, and master coaching for talent development in education. Uncover practical strategies to foster excellence, nurture leadership, and unlock potential in schools. Discover the secrets to optimizing performance and enhancing learning in this captivating discussion.

Alan Brooks and Dina Shah discuss 'High Performance' habits from sports stars in a school context. Topics include ownership of learning, trademark behaviors, responsibility, growth mindset, and empowerment for high performance cultures in teams and schools.

Join Saiqua Zaneb and Cat Rushton as they discuss creating psychological safety in schools and organizations, celebrating risk-taking, and fostering innovation. Learn how to embrace fearless leadership and cultivate an environment where authenticity thrives and outcomes flourish.